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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
Hello all:
I am travelling to Scotland at the end of May with my father for a week or so of golf. We are then planning on driving from Troon in Ayrshire, Scotland to London to meet my wife. I thought driving would allow us to see a little of Northern England along the way. I'd like to break up the trip and stay a night somewhere between Troon and London, preferrably within a few hours of London (we will need to meet my wife at Heathrow at around 11:30 am the next day). Any recommendations for an intermediate stop? Neither of us has been to the UK before. We are interested in local culture, history, scenery, and meeting nice people. Thanks for your ideas! Bill P.S. If you think driving is a bad idea, let me know that, too. |
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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
"Bill Levenson" wrote in message om... Hello all: I am travelling to Scotland at the end of May with my father for a week or so of golf. We are then planning on driving from Troon in Ayrshire, Scotland to London to meet my wife. I thought driving would allow us to see a little of Northern England along the way. I'd like to break up the trip and stay a night somewhere between Troon and London, preferrably within a few hours of London (we will need to meet my wife at Heathrow at around 11:30 am the next day). Any recommendations for an intermediate stop? Neither of us has been to the UK before. We are interested in local culture, history, scenery, and meeting nice people. Driving isn't a terrible idea, but if you are going to need to be at Heathrow at 11.30am the next morning I wouldn't recommend staying anywhere else but London (preferably at Heathrow) or nearby. In either case, a couple of hours from Heathrow isn't really going to stay somewhere in Northern England, that's more like 5 hours away, depending on route and how fast you drive. In any case, Troon to London is going to be around a 7 hour drive and pretty much entirely motorway. Myself I would just get in the car and do the trip in one day, couple of hour long stops along the way, then crash in a hotel near London. Not a lot of time to do anything else at all really. If you are wanting to see Northern England, you could stop at Manchester or Liverpool, but I wouldn't suggest doing that unless it's part of a two day trip, staying overnight both there and in London. Do you really need to go to London? BA runs a regular shuttle service between GLA and LHR, price GBP£63.40 return. |
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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
Thanks to all of you. I always marvel at how great Usenet is for
getting friendly advise. Based on some of the responses, I may not have provided enough info (it's always a challenge to provide info but not bore the reader ;-). First, getting from Troon to London is necessary. My wife and I are planning another week in London, while my father will leave from London the day after my wife arrives. So, my dad and I have to get to London by car, air, or rail. I figured that a car would allow us to stop along the way. And, it seems to me that by the time we schlepp our bags and clubs through the airports (or train stations), check and claim them, turn in the rental car, and get to the aiport with enough time for security, it may not be that much slower to drive. I also left out our travel days; we will set out from Troon on a Saturday, stay the night somewhere, and pick up my wife at Heathrow at 11:30 on a Sunday. Does that change the traffic situation? Several people implied that I would need to stay near Heathrow to get there by 11:30. I had imagined that I could stay 2 to 4 hours away and set out early straight for Heathrow. Is that impractical? On a Sunday? I may be leaning toward driving all day with 1-2 hour stops for lunch and dinner, and crash at a hotel near Heathrow. For the following night(s), we already have a place near Chelsea. Or, maybe lunch in the lake country, stop somewhere like York or Oxford for the night, get up early and go to Heathrow. OK, now I'm rambling. Thanks again for any further info. Bill antec wrote in message ... The problem with the drive is that there are often traffic stopages on the motorways around London and leading to Heathrow. And security delays at the airport. You would need to be nearly in London the night before, in order to get to the airport by 11:30am. Are you going to Heathrow to pickup your wife and then continue your trip in the UK, or to join her to fly out of Heathrow? According to Mapquest, the Troon - London drive is nonstop 6hr 45 min using high speed motorways past Liverpool and around Manchester. I have driven from Newmilns Scotland (not too far from Troon) down to Lower Brails (near Stratford-upon-Avon)in one go. It was a long drive. Mapquest said 5 hr 36 min, but actual time was closer to 7 hr due to traffic around Birmingham. We stayed overnight in a quaint 12th century coaching inn called The George Hotel ( http://www.cotswold-hotel.com/default.htm ) in Lower Brails where we got to meet the locals and watch them play an outdoor ball game called "Aunt Sally". Good food and local beer. The drive from Lower Brailes to London is 1hr 30 min according to Mapquest. As to places to see...for a one stop educational experience into the history and people of the UK, visit "Beamish - The North of England Open Air Museum" located near Durham. Their website is http://www.beamish.org.uk/ You can see highlights of the exhibits in several hours and have lunch, or spend a whole day. Beamish is 3-1/2 hr drive from Troon. York is 1-1/2 hr drive from Beamish and 3-1/2 hr drive from London area. If you choose to visit York, be aware that the tourist sites close early. Around 4;00pm, it seems like everyone who works in York cues up at the bus stops and go home. The pubs and restaurants do stay open, however, so you won't go without sustenance. Richard Antsidel Owings Mills, MD USA |
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Intermediate stop between Troon and London???
"Bill Levenson" wrote in message om... First, getting from Troon to London is necessary. My wife and I are planning another week in London, while my father will leave from London the day after my wife arrives. So, my dad and I have to get to London by car, air, or rail. I figured that a car would allow us to stop along the way. And, it seems to me that by the time we schlepp our bags and clubs through the airports (or train stations), check and claim them, turn in the rental car, and get to the aiport with enough time for security, it may not be that much slower to drive. Agree. Cars are usually more convenient when you have luggage to consider. I also left out our travel days; we will set out from Troon on a Saturday, stay the night somewhere, and pick up my wife at Heathrow at 11:30 on a Sunday. Does that change the traffic situation? Several people implied that I would need to stay near Heathrow to get there by 11:30. I had imagined that I could stay 2 to 4 hours away and set out early straight for Heathrow. Is that impractical? On a Sunday? Saturday and Sunday will be quiet on the roads. Especially Sunday morning, probably the few times of the year when you can get a clear run on the M25. That of course is an advantage for you. I may be leaning toward driving all day with 1-2 hour stops for lunch and dinner, and crash at a hotel near Heathrow. For the following night(s), we already have a place near Chelsea. Or, maybe lunch in the lake country, stop somewhere like York or Oxford for the night, get up early and go to Heathrow. The Lakes is a nice idea but you have to actually get into and out of them, that's going to take about 30 minutes each way, from the M6 so you've added an hour to your journey before you've even stopped for lunch. Lakes AND York isn't really realistic, they are opposite sides of the country, and starting from where you are, I wouldn't recommend the east coast route it will take you may miles away from the most direct path. Having said that there are many nice villages on the edges of the Lakes which would be very nice places to stop. Best thing is to get a road atlas and have a look before you set out. I wouldn't like to stay as far away at York (3.5 hours drive) if you are picking someone up from Heathrow. But somewhere of the distance of Oxford or Cambridge would be fine, especially on a Sunday morning. I've stayed in Aylesbury before and then caught a flight from Heathrow the next morning. |
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